Wout Weghorst comes off the bench to score the winner in Oranje’s Euro 2024 opener
Wout Weghorst scored against Poland in Oranje’s opening match at Euro 2024 in Hamburg, Germany, on Sunday to ensure that Oranje started their campaign with a win. The 31-year-old striker made it 2-1 after Cody Gakpo had scored the first goal for Ronald Koeman’s side to cancel out Adam Bursa’s opener.
There were no surprises in the Netherlands' lineup, as Koeman named the same team that started the team's last match against Iceland. As had already been announced, their opponents started without their star striker Robert Lewandowski, who was replaced by Adam Buksa.
Oranje started well, testing the experienced Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny in the first minute. Cody Gakpo received the ball on the left before cutting inside and shooting toward the near post, which Szczęsny saved.
Koeman's side kept pushing for the opening goal and had their next chance in the ninth minute. Midfielder Jerdy Schouten played the ball into the box to his midfield partner Tijjani Reijnders, whose shot went just wide of the post.
Despite their dominance, Oranje went behind in the 16th minute. A well-taken corner by Piotr Zieliński was headed into the far corner by Buksa.
The chances kept coming for the Netherlands; Szczęsny denied captain Virgil van Dijk's volley before Memphis Depay missed a massive opportunity in front of goal after Xavi Simons had played him in.
Oranje finally scored in the 29th minute. A risky cross-field ball from Nicola Zalewski was intercepted by Nathan Ake. It then went to Gakpo, whose shot was deflected into the Polish goal.
It was the least Koeman's side deserved as they kept carving the Polish defence open in the remaining minutes before halftime. Ake was involved again when he played in Gakpo in the box. The Liverpool winger tried to divert the ball towards goal with the outside of his boot but was unsuccessful.
The Man City defender also created the last chance before halftime when he played a beautiful 50-yard pass to Depay. It was the story of the first half for the Netherlands, as Depay's effort also went just wide of the goal.
Poland made some subs after the start of the second half, which shored up their defence and resulted in Oranje creating fewer chances in the second half.
Their first chance came through Denzel Dumfries, who had come forward from right back. His shot was from a difficult angle and was saved by the Polish keeper.
The Netherlands got their winning goal in the 83rd minute. Ake’s pass was deflected into the path of Weghorst, who wrapped his foot around the ball to guide it into the net.
Bart Verbruggen was forced to make a save to seal the win for Oranje after the goal when knocked away an attempt from Karol Swiderski’s chance.
The other match in this group, between France and Austria, will be played on Monday at 9 p.m. Oranje face France in their next game on Friday.
